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[Professor]

Nevermind.

KFC SuperCoach 2022: The Phantom’s best mid-price options and value picks
With the rookie stocks looking shallow in defence, finding a bargain could be the key to KFC SuperCoach success. Our expert goes in-depth on all mid-price options.

The Phantom

7 min read
February 7, 2022 - 5:34PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom




01:20
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Welcome to mid-price week of The Phantom’s KFC SuperCoach pre-season.
I know you are excited to be here - everybody loves a bargain.
And there are plenty of them around in 2022.

The key, as it is every year, however, is picking the right ones.
With the early rookie stocks in defence looking a little shallow, many KFC SuperCoach teams are considering a premium-heavy backline.
But there are a still a number of mid-price candidates capable of producing premium scores, and a few more who could get you to someone who does quickly.
Here’s my take on all the value options in defence, priced between $250k and $475k.
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Jack Sinclair (StK) $469,700
2021 Ave: 86.3
Sinclair’s transformation into a running defender really flew under the radar of KFC SuperCoaches. Coach Brett Ratten challenged the 26-year-old to adapt to a position in defence he had never played ahead of his seventh season. Sinclair was inconsistent to start, averaging 18 disposals and 69 points in the first six rounds. But from that point, he really found his groove, finishing the year with career-highs for disposals, marks, intercepts, metres gained, uncontested possessions and KFC SuperCoach points, and a second-place finish in the Saints’ best-and-fairest. Sinclair, who rated elite for contested possessions, score assists and pressure acts as a defender, averaged 93 points from Round 7 onwards and finished the year with four scores of 96 or more.
Phantom’s verdict: An intriguing option. At the price, are you better off spending a little more on a proven star? Probably. But Sinclair might surprise in 2022, and could prove a steal in KFC SuperCoach Draft.
Changkuoth Jiath (Haw) $459,300
2021 Ave: 84.4
It was a breakout year for the young Hawk, who exploded onto the KFC SuperCoach scene in the opening month of 2021. Jiath, who started the year at $266k, posted three KFC SuperCoach tons in the opening four matches, prompting an avalanche of selections. The 22-year-old rated elite for intercept marks and total intercepts, but passed the 100-point mark in just two of his next 12 matches. There was the variation in his role, which saw him play more as a lockdown defender at times and opposition attention, as well as the injury that ended his season in Round 17. Jiath’s potential is obvious, especially if he can win more of the ball consistently, but there, again, might be a few things in his way in 2022. While there is still a bit to play out, the return of James Sicily and Will Day could force Jiath to play deeper this year.
Phantom’s verdict: Not to start with.
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James Sicily is back for the Hawks. Picture: Photo: Gaye Gerard
James Sicily (Haw) $448,100
2021 Ave: DNP
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said the returning star was ready to go in December, and his work in defence has been the highlight of the club’s recent match simulation. Given he averaged 108 in the opening 11 rounds of 2020, before tearing his ACL against the Eagles, Sicily, at that price, is a KFC SuperCoach lock playing as a defender. There was just some concern he may also be used forward, like he has at times in recent years and early in his career, given the rapidly-developing depth of Hawthorn’s backline, which will also be boosted by the return of Day in 2022.
Phantom’s verdict: Mitchell knows Sicily plays his best football in defence and all the evidence at training so far suggests he’ll start there in Round 1. And, given his scoring power, maybe the odd cameo inside-50 won’t hurt that much.

 

[Professor]

THE BREAKOUT
Hayden Young (Fre) $418,400
2021 Ave: 76.9
After recovering from an early-season injury, the attacking defender made an outstanding return – at all levels. Young posted KFC SuperCoach scores of 100 and 109 in the WAFL before finishing with 13 disposals and 54 points in his return to the senior side in Round 19. But it didn’t take long for the elite left-footer to make his mark, averaging 19 disposals, seven intercepts, seven marks and 98 KFC SuperCoach points in the final four games of the year. Young, who passed three figures in each of his 12 NAB League appearances in his draft year, on his way to a 129-point average, scored a KFC SuperCoach ton in games 10 and 13 at AFL level.
Phantom’s verdict: It’s an awkward price, but there is plenty of value here. Very high on the pre-season watchlist, but one who is likely to fit under the ‘really wanted to pick but couldn’t fit him in’ category for me.
Lachie Ash (GWS) $413,400
2021 Ave: 75.9
Two big KFC SuperCoach tons and five more scores of 80 or more saw the dashing defender average 87 points before the bye in just his second season in the competition. Ash averaged 22 disposals, seven marks, and five rebound-50s in the impressive stretch, as he helped fill the running void left by Lachie Whitfield’s pre-season injury. But things were a little different post-bye as Ash moved further up the ground to do a few defensive jobs in the midfield. And, after blanketing Bombers star Darcy Parish, like not many others could do at the time, it’s a role that looks likely to continue in 2022, witht the neat-kicking right-footer training with the midfield group over summer.
Phantom’s verdict: Not as a tagger, but, if he goes back, keep him in mind.

Is it finally Hunter Clark’s time in KFC SuperCoach? Picture: Michael Klein
Hunter Clark (StK) $401,100
2021 Ave: 73.7
Is it finally Clark’s time? Yes, I’ve been saying the same thing for a while now, but he just continues to tease us with glimpses of his best. The young Saint, who is heading into his fifth season in 2022, posted four KFC SuperCoach tons in the opening seven rounds of last year. He was the Saints best midfielder in Round 1 against the Giants, tallying 23 disposals, 12 contested possessions, seven clearances, 112 points and close to no fumbles on a wet day. Despite that performance, he was in and out of the on-ball rotation over the next two weeks. Clark then recorded consecutive KFC SuperCoach tons playing behind the ball. He also had nine disposals playing forward against the Swans in Round 12, before that sickening collision with Crow David Mackay ended his year. So what’s it going to be, Ratts?
Phantom’s verdict: Do the Saints need Clark’s clean hands and class in the midfield? I think so. But I’m not Brett Ratten. Even being settled in one spot could result in a KFC SuperCoach scoring spike. Monitor.
Will Day (Haw) $345,700
2021 Ave: 79
Like Sicily, Day’s return is a big boost for Mitchell and the Hawks. Day exploded out of the blocks with a 122-point performance in Round 1 last season, but hurt his ankle the following week and managed just five matches for the year. Before he injured it again later in the season, however, the skilful Day tallied another 112 KFC SuperCoach points, on the back of 29 disposals and 10 intercepts, against the Giants. In fact, if you take out the injury-affected score in Round 2 – which was 55 in 59 per cent game-time – Day’s average in four games last year was 85.
Phantom’s verdict: If all goes smoothly, that might be his floor in 2022, given the Hawks will look to get the ball in his hands. And he’s priced at a 64-point average.
Keidean Coleman (Bris) $263,200, Fwd
2021 Ave: 48.4
The great Gilbert Gardiner predicted the rise of Jiath last summer so, when he includes Coleman, the 23-game Lion, in his must-have starters for 2022, we have to, at least, listen. Coleman spent the early part of last season playing a role in the forward-half, before moving into defence, really making his mark late in the year. The 21-year-old finished with a career-high 90 KFC SuperCoach points, on the back of 14 disposals, six intercepts and six score involvements, in the qualifying final against the Demons. A week later, Coleman tallied another 15 disposals, eight intercepts and 77 points against the Bulldogs. But, in good news for KFC SuperCoaches, those scores are not factored into his 2022 starting price, only the 87-point display in Round 23 does.
Phantom’s verdict: That’s a three-game average of 85 to finish the year, and he’s impressed on the track over summer. Is Gil right again?

George Hewett looks set to add to Carlton’s midfield depth in 2022. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos
THE VALUE
George Hewett (Carl) $399,000
2021 Ave: 73.3
Hewett may have averaged just 73 points in his final year at the Swans – the lowest since his debut season of 2016 – as he played predominantly in defence. But new skipper Patrick Cripps says Hewett has come in and made a “big impact” in the midfield at the Blues. And, in his most-productive year numbers-wise, the 26-year-old averaged 88 points playing on-ball for Sydney in 2019.
Phantom’s verdict: Even if he plays in the midfield for the Blues, can he score enough to be a top-six defender? I don’t think so – but a quick start at that price and he could get you to one.
Wayne Milera (Adel) $271,100
2021 Ave: DNP
A big finish to 2018 saw the classy Crow average 80 KFC SuperCoach points in his third season in the competition. He then averaged 95 in the opening month of 2019 before missing four matches through injury and failing to find consistency on return. And in the past two years, Milera has played just two matches. But he’s back and, although the Crows will be cautious, the 24-year-old is gunning for a Round 1 return, after impressing on a wing in recent match sim.
Phantom’s verdict: In a year when durability is even more important, some would already have a line through Milera’s name. And I wouldn’t arguing with them. But there is also no arguing with his value, if he’s there in Round 1.
Jake Bowey (Melb) $265,600
2021 Ave: 61
More Coverage
the highlight of the club’s recent match simulationStats guru’s hidden KFC SuperCoach gemsRookie Bible: The best SuperCoach cheapies of 2022
When you have 19 disposals, five intercepts and 80 KFC SuperCoach points in your first final, before backing it up with 17 disposals - at 88 per cent efficiency - and 66 points in a grand final, and you’re only just above top-end rookie pricing, you’re on the watchlist. And that’s exactly what Bowey did in his debut season, which also featured an 84-point performance in just his second game.
Phantom’s verdict: Good kicking is good KFC SuperCoach. High on the pre-season watchlist, given the lack of standout basement-price rookie options.
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2022: The Phantom’s best mid-price options and value picks

 

[wogitalia]

Ash for mine is the name on that list I haven't seen mentioned that definitely is worth watching in the o***eason. He's a terrific player with really natural fantasy instincts, depends on his role but if he's free in the midfield he should score big and if he's rebounding off half back potentially even larger.

Would take some cajones to take him but definitely on my watch list.

Rest have all been covered a fair bit and all have at least some form of case for them!

 

[inwhiterooms]

Coleman has slid his way into my backline. Hype train seems to be gathering some steam, doesn't need to do an awful lot in order to do a job for us at his price. Right on the cusp of what I'm happy to fork out for a low-end mid-pricer.

 

[inwhiterooms]

Ash for mine is the name on that list I haven't seen mentioned that definitely is worth watching in the o***eason. He's a terrific player with really natural fantasy instincts, depends on his role but if he's free in the midfield he should score big and if he's rebounding off half back potentially even larger.

Would take some cajones to take him but definitely on my watch list.

Rest have all been covered a fair bit and all have at least some form of case for them!

Where was he playing after the bye last year? Huge concern being that he didn't go above 68 in this run of games. A lot to fork out for a guy with sketchy role and volatile scoring. I'd rather put my chips on a Hayden Young type if punting in and around the 400k mark.

 

[Zagbag]

Pendles to HB seems an absolute lock based on the talk. Be watching closely in preseason, while he didn't set the world alight last time around his skillset is so well tailored to the role. Still really hard to pick a guy who definitely isn't a midfield premium as a starting pick even if the value would be there at that point.

Sounds like we can take it as read that Pendles goes to HB.

If he goes to HB and plays well (ave 100 ish), he becomes a Def by round 6, and is everyone's top trade in target.

You gain nothing by starting him in the mids, and taking the punt that it happens. All you get is a pretty good mid for high-risk.

 

[Herbie66]

Sounds like we can take it as read that Pendles goes to HB.

If he goes to HB and plays well (ave 100 ish), he becomes a Def by round 6, and is everyone's top trade in target.

You gain nothing by starting him in the mids, and taking the punt that it happens. All you get is a pretty good mid for high-risk.

Impossible to be a defender by Round 6.

 

[PC]

Impossible to be a defender by Round 6.

After Rd 6, right Herb

 

[Herbie66]

After Rd 6, right Herb

Lost count how many times I have posted about it , at least 50 times now , might sink in 😀

Still 36 days to go , might get to 500 posts about it

Just hope Pete Jank doesn't change his mind hahaha

 

[Herbie66]

Speaking of Pete Jank , has anyone seen an updated update as to when RDT might be opening ?

 

[Ironhawk]

Lost count how many times I have posted about it , at least 50 times now , might sink in 😀

Still 36 days to go , might get to 500 posts about it

Just hope Pete Jank doesn't change his mind hahaha

Do we know if the trade loophole still works this year?

At least it's a change of topic.

 

[Herbie66]

Do we know if the trade loophole still works this year?

At least it's a change of topic.

Got distracted by Eileen Gu's (or maybe it is Gu Eileen) 3rd jump in the Big Air.

What is this trade loophole you speak of 😉 🤔🤗

EDIT: Gold to the Games poster girl

 

[GrainFedBeef]

Do we know if the trade loophole still works this year?

At least it's a change of topic.

In SC, you will be able to reverse trades, no loophole needed. as long as both incoming/outgoing player have not played.

 

[Ironhawk]

In SC, you will be able to reverse trades, no loophole needed. as long as both incoming/outgoing player have not played.

Looks like you have someone who might help you answer those questions this year Herbie!

It was quite amusing how many times questions about looping trades came up last year which is why I asked it (I'm aware of the changes made this year). Herbie I think probably answered these posts at least 100 times.

 

[Shannon]

KFC SuperCoach 2022: Expert Al Paton reveals his starting line-up

Some juicy pre-season whispers and a calculated plan to deal with KFC SuperCoach rule changes and anticipated Covid chaos have delivered a new-look team for expert Al Paton.

DEFENCE
Jake Lloyd $586,600

Aaron Hall $572,900

Lachie Whitfield $502,600 DEF/MID

James Sicily $448,100

Josh Sinn $157,800 DEF/MID

Sam Skinner $123,900 DEF/FWD

Nathan O’Driscoll $123,900 DEF/MID

Charlie Dean $102,400

This is one line that has barely changed since I first picked a team in early January. Lloyd is locked and the key has been thrown away and if I’m picking on upside I can’t go past Aaron Hall and Lachie Whitfield, who could both average 110 if they can stay injury-free. James Sicily is priced at about an 82 average, at least 15 points below what I expect from him this year – especially after news he was back in his lucrative role floating across half-back in Hawthorn match simulation.

Reliable premiums Jack Crisp and Jayden Short have been in my team at various stages and could find their way back in if there is a whiff of Whitfield suffering a niggle (although they are a bit more expensive!).

The other strategy that is already clear here is trying to pack as many dual-position players in the team as possible to deal with Covid chaos that seems almost inevitable at some stage this season.

MIDFIELD
Jack Macrae $699,900

Jack Steele $685,700

Clayton Oliver $627,000

Tom Mitchell $638,100

Lachie Neale $543,200

Stephen Coniglio $261,300 MID/FWD

Jason Horne-Francis $207,300

Nick Daicos $193,800

Greg Clark $117,300

Bodhi Uwland $102,400 MID/DEF

Charlie Parker $102,400 MID/FWD

Don’t need to say much about the top five here, just let the points roll in. Mitchell is one that is perhaps flying under the radar a bit, he averaged 117 points per game last year but that figure after the bye, when he finally found his groove after a rough run with injury, was 129.

Stephen Coniglio is one of the bargains of 2022 and I’d like to pick him in the midfield to open up more DPP options. The same goes for my bench picks, but that involve a bit of wishful thinking, we’ll see over the next six weeks which cheapies stand up to demand selection.

RUCK
Brodie Grundy $627,100

Braydon Preuss $204,700

Jack Williams $117,300 RUC/FWD

This is my biggest leap of faith, based on a line in the Herald Sun on the weekend revealing Preuss made it through GWS match simulation last week.

I’m not expecting Max Gawn-level scoring but if he can make it to Round 1 in one piece I think he’ll be the Giants’ No.1 ruckman and can average 90-plus. That could be 20-30 points per week behind Gawn, but the truckload of cash saved allows me to more than make up that deficit by picking an extra midfield premo. But I’m not ruling out chickening out and throwing Max in five minutes before Round 1 lockout.


FORWARDS
Josh Dunkley $558,200 MID/FWD

Dustin Martin $503,500 FWD/MID

Cam Rayner $278,600

Charlie Curnow $224,300

Will Brodie $224,300 FWD/MID

Elijah Hollands $123,900 FWD/MID

Luke Pedlar $123,900 FWD/MID

Ely Smith $123,900 FWD/MID

Dunkley screams “upside” after averaging over 120 before going down hurt last season, and much of the rest of the forward line is a result of some juicy pre-season nuggets. Dusty has returned to contract training and teammate Jack Riewoldt liked what he saw, suggesting the Tigers “may push him into the midfield a little bit more to see if we can get that bull from 2017 back again.” Yes, please!

In Brisbane, Cam Rayner is flying in his comeback from an ACL injury while former Gold Coast inside midfielder Will Brodie took it up to Andy Brayshaw in a head-to-head battle at Dockers training.

The other key factor in this part of the ground is a new feature of KFC SuperCoach in 2022 - rolling DPP changes. After Rounds 6, 12 and 18 Champion Data will release updated batches of dual-position players so I want to leave some places in my forward line in case players like Patrick Dangerfield, Nat Fyfe or Marcus Bontempelli become FWD/MID must-haves.

 

[GrainFedBeef]

Looks like you have someone who might help you answer those questions this year Herbie!

It was quite amusing how many times questions about looping trades came up last year which is why I asked it (I'm aware of the changes made this year). Herbie I think probably answered these posts at least 100 times.

I remember that, nearly asked the question last year just for some fun, would have been mean though.

I now get the joke!!!!! you are truly wicked

I used that loophole and if it wasn't for Herbie repeating it 100 times I wouldn't have known how. @Herbie66

 

[wogitalia]

Where was he playing after the bye last year? Huge concern being that he didn't go above 68 in this run of games. A lot to fork out for a guy with sketchy role and volatile scoring. I'd rather put my chips on a Hayden Young type if punting in and around the 400k mark.

Was doing tagging roles. He did a decent job at them but it seems a real waste, especially when you're paying de Boer for that.

Impossible to be a defender by Round 6.

I for one am thoroughly enjoying this crusade of yours

 

[Connoisseur]

I for one am thoroughly enjoying this crusade of yours

With no end in sight, I might add.

 

[Herbie66]

Was doing tagging roles. He did a decent job at them but it seems a real waste, especially when you're paying de Boer for that.



I for one am thoroughly enjoying this crusade of yours

Nearly ready to concentrate on some cricket for a few weeks 😀

Struggling to understand where the confusion lies when it was clearly explained when it was first announced.

 

[Herbie66]

With no end in sight, I might add.

Trying to outdo your record of mentioning Dan Hughes during the BBL season 😉 , think I am still along way behind.